Washing cycle for permanently pressed fabrics



Dec. 26, 1967 D. MOREY ET AL 3,359,578

WASHING CYCLE FOR PERMANENTLY PRESSED FABRICS Filed Dec. 1, 1966 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS EVERETT D. MOREY DAVlD I DUVALL.

THEJR ATTQRMEY Dec. 26, 1967 D. MOREY ET AL 3,359,578

WASHING CYCLE FOR PERMANENTLY PRESSED FABRICS Filed Dec. .1, 1966 2Sheets-Sheet 2 EVERETT D- MOREY @D \llD T. DUVALL HEW-2. ATT RNEV UnitedStates Patent 3,359,578 WASHING CYCLE FOR PERMANENTLY PRESSED FABRICSEverett D. Morey and David J. Duvall, Louisville, Ky.,

assignors to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York FiledDec. 1, 1966, Ser. No. 598,240 Claims. (Cl. 8-158) This inventionrelates to automatic washing machines, and more particularly, to animproved method of washing permanently pressed fabrics in such machines.

Permanently pressed fabrics are gaining an ever increasing portion ofthe market for such things as clothing, linen, table cloths, etc. Suchfabrics are treated with a thermoplastic material so that they tend toretain creases placed in the fabric during the manufacturing processand, at the same time, have much greater resistance to wrinkling duringuse. Many items using these fabrics are designed to be washable inautomatic washing machines; however, no automatic washing machinecurrently commercially available provides optimum washing of suchfabrics. One problem encountered in using present day machines is thatthe compressive forces exerted on the fabrics during wash fluidextraction are not completely removed during the rinse step.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvedmethod of washing fabrics in an automatic washing machine.

More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide animproved method of washing permanently pressed fabrics in an automaticwashing machine.

A further, more specific, object of this invention is to provide animproved method of washing fabrics in an automatic washing machine whichwill substantially prevent undesirable wrinkling of permanently pressedfabncs.

In one aspect of our invention, we provide a method of washing fabricsin an automatic washing machine including the steps of agitating thefabrics in a Wash fluid, extracting the wash fluid, and agitating thefabrics in a rinse fluid. As an important feature of our invention weprovide that the temperature of the wash fluid at the time of extraction(wash extraction temperature) is between about 90 degrees Fahrenheit F.)and about 120 F. Moreover the temperature of the rinse fluid whenintroduced into the machine (initial rinse temperature) is be tween thewash extraction temperature and a temperature lower than the washextraction temperature by no more than about F. to about F., dependentupon the wash extraction temperature. As another important feature ofour invention we provide a rinse agitation period of operation of atleast about 7 to 8 minutes.

Our invention may be better understood by reference to the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a partial schematic front elevational view of a clotheswashing machine adapted to accomplish our invention, the view beingpartly broken away and partly in section to illustrate details;

FIGURE 2 is a schematic diagram of an electrical control circuit forcontrolling the operation of the machine of FIGURE 1, and

FIGURE 3 is a schematic view of a development of the cam surfaces usedin the control of the timer operated switches of FIGURE 2, therebyindicating the operations of the switches by the cams throughout a cycleof operation of the machine.

Referring now to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, there is shown, in schematicform, an agitator-type washing ma- 3,359,578 Patented Dec. 26, 1967chine adapted to accomplish our new and improved method of washingfabrics, the machine being generally indicated by the numeral 1. Machine1 includes a clothes basket 2 having perforations 3 over its side andbottom walls and disposed within an outer, imperforate tub or casing 4,the basket 2 and tub 4 together forming a fluid and fabric containingmeans. The entire structure normally will be mounted within a suitableappearance and protective cabinet which, in this case, has been omittedfor purposes of clarity. At the center of basket 2 there is provided avertical axis agitator 5 which includes a centerpost 6 and a pluralityof curved vanes 7 extending out from the centerpost and connectedtogether at their base by a flared skirt 8. Both basket 2 and agitator 5are movably mounted. conventionally, the basket is mounted for rotationand the agitator is mounted for some type of oscillatory motion which.will effect agitation of the fabrics in the basket. In one conventionalstructure, basket 2 is secured to a hollow hub member 9, and theagitator is secured to a shaft 10 which extends upwardly through the hub9 in rotatable relation thereto.

Basket 2 and agitator 5 are driven from a reversible drive motor 11through a drive including a clutch 12 mounted on the motor shaft. Clutch12 allows the motor to start without load and then pick up the load asit comes up to speed. A suitable belt 13" transmits power from theclutch to a transmission assembly 14 through a pulley 15. Thus,depending upon the direction of motor rotation, pulley 15 oftransmission 14 is driven in opposite directions.

Transmission 14 is so arranged that it supports and drives both hub 9and shaft lit. When motor 11 is rotated in one direction thetransmission causes agitator 5 to be oscillated through shaft 10.Conversely, when the motor is driven in the opposite direction, thetransmission drives basket 2 and agitator 5 together at high speedthrough hub 9 and shaft 10 for centrifugal extraction of fluid from thefabrics.

In addition to operating transmission 14 through clutch 12, asdescribed, motor 11 also provides a direct drive through a flexiblecoupling 16 to a pump structure generally indicated at 17, which mayinclude two separate pump units 18 and 19, both operated simultaneouslyin the same direction by motor 11. Pump unit 18 has an inlet which isconnected by a conduit 20 to an opening 21 formed in the lowermost partof tub 4. Pump unit 18 also has an outlet which is connected by conduit22 to a suitable drain (not shown). Pump unit 19 has an inlet connectedby a conduit 23 to the interior of tub 4 and an outlet connected to aconduit 24. Conduit 24 is arranged to discharge liquid through asuitable filter (not shown) back into tub 4 and basket 2.

A water supply valve mechanism 26 is adapted to supply hot and coldwater to the machine, the valve being connected to hot and cold watersources (not shown) by conduits 27 and 28. The valve 26 has solenoids29, 30, 31 and 32 so that energization of one of solenoids 29 and 31permits passage of hot water through the valve, energization of one ofsolenoids 30 and 32 permits the passage of cold water through the valve,and energization of both solenoids 29 and 30 or both solenoids 31 and 32permits mixing of hot and cold water in the valve and passage of warmwater therefrom through an outlet conduit 33 extending from the valve.From the outlet conduit 33, the

water passes through an inlet nozzle 34 into the container means formedby the tub 4 and basket 2. The level to which water rises in basket 2and tub 4 may be controlled by any suitable liquid level sensing meanssuch as pressure switch 35. In a conventional manner, when water risesin tub 4 and basket 2 it exerts an increasing pressure on the switch 35,and, when the pressure reaches a predetermined level, the pressureswitch is effective to shut off water inlet valve 26.

Referring noW to FIGURE 2, an electrical control system for the machineof FIGURE 1 will be described. In connection with the circuit of FIGURE2, it will be understood that present day washers often include variousimprovements such as control panel lights, bleach and rinse agentdispensers, etc., which do not relate to the present invention, and tosome extent these have been omitted for the sake of simplicity and easeof understandin order to control the sequence of operation of thecomponents of machine 1, the circuit includes an automatic sequencecontrol assembly which incorporates a timer motor 40 adapted to drive aplurality of cams 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46 and 47. These cams, duringtheir rotation by the timer motor, actuate various switches (as will bedescribed) causing the machine to pass through an appropriate cycle ofoperation; first washing the fabrics, then extracting the wash water,then rinsing the fabrics in clean water, and finally centrifuging therinse water from the fabrics.

The electric circuit as a whole is adapted to be energized from a powersupply (not shown) through a pair of conductors 48 and 49. Cam 41controls a switch 50 provided in the supply conductor 49 so that, whenthe cam 41 has assumed a position in which the switch 50 is open,machine 1 is disconnected from the power source and is inoperative. Whenoperation of machine 1 is to be initiated, switch 50 is controlled bycam 41 so as to be closed. This may be accomplished manually by rotatinga dial 51 which normally is mounted on the appearance cabinet of theWater and is connected to the timer motor so that manual rotation of thedial rotates the timer motor and thus moves the cams. Then, when a mainswitch 52 in conductor 48 is closed, as by depressing the control dial51, power is provided to the control system of the machine fromconductor 48 to conductor 49.

From main switch 52 the circuit extends through a conductor 53 and aconductor 54 to timer motor 40. The other side of timer motor 40 isconnected by a conductor 55 to a switch 56 controlled by cam 43. Whenswitch 56 is closed it connects the timer motor through a conductor 57and switch 58 controlled by cam 42 to a conductor 59 and then throughswitch 50 to conductor 49. A manual switch 60 is connected in parallelwith switch 56 between conductors 55 and 57 so that, when the manualswitch is closed, as by operation of a suitable pushbutton on theappearance cabinet, the timer motor will always be connected toconductor 57 regardless of the position of cam 43 and when manual switch60 is opened the connection of timer motor 46 is under the control ofcam 43. A parallel path to conductor 59 is provided by the other portionof conductor 57 which terminates in a contact 61 of the water levelswitch 35, which also includes an additional contact 62 and a movablearm 63. Operation of the water level switch 35 is such that, when thefluid in the container is below a predetermined level, the arm 63engages contact 62 and, when the fluid is above the predetermined level,the arm is moved into engagement with contact 61. Thus, when the fluidin the tub and basket is above the predetermined level the timer motoris connected to supply conductor 49 through the water level switch 35regardless of the position of cam operated switch 58.

An energizing circuit for the main motor 11 extends from conductor 53through a conventional motor protector 64 and motor start winding 65 toa switch 66 of a relay 67, which alsohas a relay coil 68. From switch 66the circuit extends through a conductor 69 and a switch 70 operated bycam 44 to conductor 57. One side of the main or run winding 71 of motor11 is connected to one side of relay coil 68 while the other side of themain winding is connected by a conductor 72 to a switch arm 73. Theother side of the relay coil 68 is connected by a conductor 74 to aswitch arm 75. The switch arms 73 and 75 are controlled by cam 45 andare moved together by the cam so as to cooperate with a set of contacts76, 77 and 78. The contact 76 is connected by a conductor 79 to thesupply circuit for the motor at a point between the motor protector 64and the start winding 65. The contact 77 is connected by a conductor 80to conductor 69. The contact 78 is connected through a lid switch 81 tothe conductor 79. In the usual manner the appearance cabinet of themachine 1 would normally include a lid through which fabrics may beloaded and unloaded. The lid switch 81 would be mounted so as to beclosed when the lid of the cabinet is closed and open when the lid ofthe cabinet is open. Thus, when the lid switch is connected in thesupply circuit from motor 11, opening of the lid of the appearancecabinet will cause the machine to stop its operation.

The motor 11 is of the conventional type in which the start winding 65assists the main winding 71 during the starting of the motor and isenergized in parallel therewith. When a relatively high current passesthrough relay coil 68 it causes the relay switch 66 to be closed, whichpermits an energizing circuit from the start winding to be completed inparallel with the main winding. Relay coil 68 is designed to closeswitch 66 when a relatively high current of the level demanded of themotor when the motor is rotating below a predetermined speed is passingthrough it. At other times, as when there is no current passing throughrelay coil 68 or when the current is below the required energizinglevel, as is true in the running speed range of the motor, the switch 66is opened. It will be noted that with switch arms 73 and in the positionshown, that is in engagement with contacts 76 and 77, the main winding71 is connected in parallel with the start winding by a circuitextending from between the motor protector 64 and start winding 65through a conductor 79, contact '76, switch arm 73, conductor 72, mainwinding 71, relay coil 68, conductor 74, switch arm 75, contact 77 andconductor to conductor 69. When the switch arms have been moved to theirother position (in which arm 73 engages contact 77 and arm 75 engagescontact 73) in response to rotation of cam 45 the circuit extends frombetween the motor protector 64 and start winding 65 through conductor79, lid switch 81, contact '78, switch arm 79, conductor 74, relay coil68, main winding 71, conductor 72, switch arm 73, contact 77 andconductor 80 to conductor 69. Thus, it will be seen that, in eitherposition of switch arms 73 and 75, the main winding is connected inparallel with the start winding; however, the relative polarity of thewindings is reversed from one position of the switch arms to the other.

The cold water solenoid 30 is connected in a conductor 82 which extendsfrom conductor 53 to a manual selection switch 83. The other side ofswitch 83 is connected by conductor 84 to one side of a switch 85controlled by cam 46. The other side of switch 85 is connected by aconductor 86 to contact 62 of water level switch 35. Hot water solenoid29 is connected in series with a manual temperature selection switch 37and this series connection is connected in parallel with cold watersolenoid 30 and selection switch 83 between conductor 53 and conductor84. Cold water solenoid 32 is connected by a conductor 88 to conductor53 and by a conductor 89 to one side of a switch 90 controlled by cam47. The other side of switch 90 is connected by a conductor 91 toconductor 86. Hot water solenoid 31 is connected in series with a thirdmanual temperature selection switch 92 and this series arrangement isconnected in parallel with cold water solenoid 32 between conductor 53and conductor 89. The cams 46 and 47 are designed so that switch 85 willbe closed during the filling of the tub 4 and basket 2 with wash waterand the switch 90 will be closed during the filling of tube 4 and basket2 with rinse water.

The circuit as thus far described will provide hot, cold or warm washwater depending upon whether manual temperature selection switch 87,switch 83 or both of switches 87 and 83 have been closed. Additionally,either warm or cold rinse water will be provided depending upon whethermanual temperature selection switch 92 is closed or open. In order tocarry out our new and improved method of washing, selection of apermanent press cycle as by appropriate rotation of dial 51 will causeall three of the water temperature selection switches 83, 87 and 92 tobe closed so that the machine will provide warm wash and warm rinsewater temperatures. The solenoids 29 and 30 may be designed so that theinitial temperature of the wash water, when the warm selection isprovided, will be between about 95 F. and 125 F. Then the normaldecrease in temperature of the water during the wash cycle will causethe temperature of the wash water at extraction to be between about 90F. and about 120 F. Obviously, the exact temperature of the initialtemperature of the wash water depends upon the temperature of the coldwater and the temperature of the hot water being provided to themachine. If desired, an appropriate temperature responsive valve may beplaced downstream of the hot and cold watersolenoids 29 and 30 so as torespond to the water temperature and insure the initial temperature ofthe wash Water in the machine will be within the appropriate range.

The control circuit as thus far described would provide an initialtemperature of the rinse water which is the same as the initialtemperature of the wash water whereas, as a part of our new and improvedmethod of washing, the. initial rinse temperature is between the finalwash extraction temperature and a temperature predetermined differentialbelow the final wash extraction temperature, which normally is below theinitial temperature of the wash water.

Referring to FIGURE 1 there is provided a thermostat 93 mounted in thelower portion of tub 4 and connected to a temperature responsive valve94, which is provided as a part of the water supply mechanism 26. Thetemperature responsive valve 94 is placed in the hot water supplydownstream of hot water solenoid 31 and is responsive to thermostat 93to modify the hot water supply. The thermostat 93 is responsive to thewater in the tub 4 and basket 2 and, as such, will sense the washextraction temperature of the water to set the temperature responsivevalve 94 to provide an initial rinse temperature the predetermineddifferential below the wash extraction temperature. Thermostats such asthat shown schematically at 93 and temperature responsive valves such asthat shown schematically at 94 are well known in the art and, since theparticular details of these members form no part of our invention, suchdetails have been omitted.

Referring now to FIGURE 2 in conjunction with FIG- URE 3, a cycle ofoperation of machine 1 for providing our new and improved method ofwashing will be described. At the end of each cycle of operation cam 4-1opens switch 50 to turn off the machine. In order to initiate asubsequent cycle of operation, dial 51 is pulled out, opening switch 52,and rotated sufficiently to cause cam 41 to close switch 50, earn 42 toopen switch 58, cam 43 to close switch 56, cam 44 to close switch 70,cam 45 to move switch arms 73 and 75 into engagement with contacts 76and 77, respectively, cam 46 to close switch 85 and cam 47 to openswitch 90. Dial 51 is then depressed to close switch 52 and complete theenergizing circuit. Since there is essentially no fluid in the machine,arm 63.01 water level switch engages contact 62. With this switcharrangement timer motor and main motor 11 are effectively disconnectedfrom the supply circuit and hot and cold water solenoid valves 29 and 30are connected in the circuit. In this regard it will be remembered thatselection of a permanent press cycle, as by appropriate rotation of dial51, causes temperature selection switches 83, 87 and 92 to be closed.Thus, water of a temperature betwen about 95 F. and 125 F. flows intothe machine through water inlet valve mechanism 26,

. 6 hose 33 and nozzle 54 until the amount of fluid within the machinereaches the predetermined level at which arm 63 of water level switch 35moves from engagement with contact 62 into engagement with contact 61.

This effectively dc-energizes the water valves 29 and 30 and completes acircuit for both main motor 11 and timer motor 40. Timer motor 40 beginsto rotate and current is provided to the main winding 71 of the motorand relay coil 68. Since the main motor 11 initially is below itsoperating speed, the current through the relay coil 68 is high, causingswitch 66 to close so that start winding 65 is energized in parallelwith the main winding 71. The motor quickly comes up to speed, afterwhich switch 66 opens to de-energize the start winding 65 and motorcontinues to operate on the main winding 71 alone. With the switch arms73 and 75 in the position shown, the main winding is connected to causethe motor to rotate in a direction to provide agitation; that is, themotor drives the transmission in a direction to cause the agitator tooscillate back and forth in a horizontal plane within the machine andthe pump unit 19 to recirculate fluid within the machine for filteringpurposes.

This washing action continues for a predetermined period of time, afterwhich timer motor 40 causes cam 42 to close switch 58 and cam 44 to openswitch 70. This effectively de-energizes the main motor 11 so that itquickly stops while timer motor 40 continues to run. During the pause ofthe main motor, timer motor 40 causes cam 45 to move switch arms 73 and75 into engagement with contacts 77 and 78 respectively, thus reversingthe polarity of main winding 71 with respect to start winding 65. Cam 46opens switch and cam 44 then recloses switch 70 restarting the motor 11,but in the opposite direction of rotation to cause a centrifugalextraction operation in which the basket and agitator are rotatedtogether at high speed to extract the wash fluid from the fabrics andpump unit 18 evacuates the vitiated fluid to drain.

During the extraction operation the level of fluid in the machine willquickly fall below the predetermined level so that switch arm 63disengages from contact 61 and engages contact 62; however, this has noeffect on the operation of the machine. The timer motor and main motorcontinue to run because the circuit for them is completed throughconductor 57, switch 58, conductor 59 and switch 50 to conductor 49. Nowater is provided to the machine because switches 85 and are both open.

The thermostat 93 is sensitive to the temperature of the water in thetub 4 and sets the valve 94 in response to this water temperature. Sincethe last water temperature sensed by the thermostat 93 is the washextraction temperature the setting of valve 94 will be in response tothe wash extraction temperature. In order to carry out our new andimproved method of washing, the thermostat 93 and valve 94 are designedso that the valve 94 will be set to insure an initial rinse temperaturewhich is between the wash extraction temperature and a temperature at apredetermined differential below the Wash extraction temperature withthe differential being dependent upon the extraction temperature. Moreparticularly, these members will insure that: when the wash extractiontemperature is between about 105 F. and about 110 F. the initial rinsetemperature differential will be no more than about 20 F. to 25 F.; whenthe wash extraction temperature is between about F. and about F. orbetween about F. and about F. the temperature differential will be nomore than from about 10 F. to about 20 F.; and when the wash extractiontemperature is from about 95 F. to about 100 F. and from about 115 F. toabout F. the temperature differential will be no more than about 10 F.

At the conclusion of the wash extraction operation, cam 44 again opensthe switch 70, cam 45 returns switch arms 73 and 75 to the positionshown in FIGURE 2, cam 47 closes switch 90 and cam 42 then opens switch58. The machine thus is set for a non-timed operation of filling withrinse fluid having an initial temperature between the wash extractiontemperature and a temperature a predetermined amount or differentialbelow the wash extraction temperature, dependent upon the washextraction temperature. This fill operation continues until the amountof fluid in the machine reaches the predetermined level, causing arm 63to move from engagement with contact 62 into engagement with contact 61.This causes the water valves 31 and 32 to be de-energized and the timermotor 40 to begin to rotate again and the main motor 11 to be energizedin the first or agitation direction so that the clothes will be rinsedin the clean fluid.

The compressive forces exerted on the fabrics during wash extraction,whether it be a drain down or a centrifugal type of operation, tends toset wrinkles in the fabrics. By utilizing the temperature ranges setforth herein this wrinkling is minimized and the removal of whatwrinkles are induced is optimized. While it is impossible to completelyprevent all wrinkling during the wash extraction step, we have foundthat the use of our temperature ranges in conjunction with an extendedrinse agitation period will give the fabrics a very satisfactory finalappearance. We have found that this extended rinse agitation periodshould be at least 7 to 8 minutes. This is about double the 3 to 4minutes of rinse agitation normally provided in present day automaticwashers.

After a predetermined rinsing operation of at least about 7 or 8 minutescam 42 closes switch 53, cam 44 opens switch 70, cam 45 moves switcharms 73 and 75 into their second or spin position in which they engagecontacts 77 and 78 respectively and cam 47 opens switch 90. Cam 43 opensswitch 56; however, this has no effect on the operation of the machineassuming that manual switch 60 is closed. Cam 40 then closes switch 70to cause a second or rinse centrifugal extraction operation for removingthe vitiated rinse fluid from the machine. At the conclusion of therinse operation period cam 41 opens switch 50 effectively to disconnectthe machine from the source of electrical energy. The dial 51 and switch52 may be constructed so that, at the same time switch 50 is opened,switch 52 is opened to completely isolate the control circuit.

The washing and rinsing operation of the fabrics is thus complete andthe fabrics should be removed from the machine and either placed in anautomatic clothes dryer to be tumbled dry for optimum appearance or hungon clothes lines or hangers to hang-dry for satisfactory appearance.Drying the fabrics in an automatic tumble dryer will provide an optimumappearance; however, many families may own an automatic washing machinewithout owning an automatic dryer and, for optimum wrinkle freepermanent press fabric appearance, the user may desire to remove thefabrics prior to the rinse fluid extraction operation. The forcesexerted on the fabrics during the rinse extraction, whether it merely bea drain down, in which the fluid is pumped out without the basket beingrotated, or a centrifugal extraction in which the basket is rotated, maycause some minor, fairly easily removed wrinkles to be formed in thefabrics. If the fluid is extracted and the fabrics hung-dried thesewrinkles will eventually fall out; however, the fabrics would have to beleft hanging for a considerable period of time after they actuallybecome dry.

Those users without an automatic clothes dryer may avoid this longhang-out period by removing the fabrics from the machine at theconclusion of the rinse agitation period, when the fabrics are stillvery wet and essentially no Wrinkles are in them. In order to accomplishthis, the manual switch 60 has been provided. As explained above, thecam 43 opens switch 56 during the pause following the rinse agitationoperation and then recloses the switch prior to the end of the pause,assuming the timer motor continues to run. The manual switch 60 may becalled a drip-dry selector switch and is operated by some suitable meanssuch as a pushbutton provided on the appearance cabinet of the machine.When the user desires to remove the fabrics from the machine prior tothe rinse extraction operation the drip-dry selector on the appearancecabinet would be actuated, opening switch 60. Then, during the pausefollowing the rinse operation opening of switch 56 by cam 43 would causethe operation of the machine to stop at that point. The user could thenremove the permanent press fabrics from the machine and hang them in asuitable manner for drip drying. The user then merely moves the drip dryselect button to its other position closing switch 60 and the machinewill then proceed through the final spin operation removing the vitiatedrinse fluid and then turn itself off.

The foregoing is a description of the illustrative embodiments of ourinvention and one particular washing machine adapted to perform our newand improved method. It is our intention in the appended claims to coverall forms which fall within the scope of the invention.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States is:

1. A method of washing fabrics having a thermoplastic characteristic inan automatic washing machine including the steps of agitating thefabrics in a wash fluid, extracting the wash fluid and then agitatingthe fabrics in a rinse fluid; wherein the wash extraction temperature isbetween about F. and about 120 F. and the initial rinse temperature isbetween the wash extraction temperature and a temperature lower thansaid wash extraction temperature by an amount no more than about 20 F.to about 25 F., dependent upon the wash extraction temperature.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the rinse agitation isconducted for a period of at least about seven minutes.

3. A method of washing fabrics having a thermoplastic characteristic inan automatic washing machine including the steps of agitating thefabrics in a wash fluid, extracting the wash fluid and then agitatingthe fabrics in a rinse fluid; wherein the wash extraction temperature isbetween about 90 F. and about 120 F. and the initial rinse temperatureis between the wash extraction temperature and a temperature apredetermined differential below the wash extraction temperature withthe differential being no more than about 20 F. to about 25 F. for awash extraction temperature in the range of about F. to about and lesseramounts for wash extraction temperatures which are outside the range offrom about 100 F. to about 105 F.

4. The method as set forth in claim 3 wherein the rinse agitation isconducted for a period of at least about seven minutes.

5. A method of washing fabrics having a thermoplastic characteristic inan automatic washing machine including the steps of agitating thefabrics in a wash fluid, extracting the wash fluid and then agitatingthe fabrics in a rinse fluid; wherein the wash extraction temperature isselected from the ranges including from about 90 F. to about 100 F. andfrom about 115 F. to about 120 F. and the initial rinse temperature isbetween the wash extraction temperature and a temperature which is lowerthan the wash extraction temperature by an amount no greater than about10 F.

6. The method as set forth in claim 5 wherein the rinse agitation isconducted for a period of at least about seven minutes.

7. A method of washing fabrics having a thermoplastic characteristic inan automatic washing machine including the steps of agitating thefabrics in a wash fluid, extracting the wash fluid and then agitatingthe fabrics in a rinse fluid; wherein the Wash extraction temperature isselected from the ranges including from about 100 F. to about 105 F. andfrom about F. to about F. and the initial rinse temperature is betweenthe wash exon te p ature and a temperature which is lower 9 than thewash extraction temperature by an amount not greater than from about 10F. to about 20 F.

8. The method as set forth in claim 7 wherein the rinse agitation isconducted for a period of at least about seven minutes 9. A method ofwashing fabrics having a thermoplastic characteristic in an automaticWashing machine including the steps of agitating the fabrics in a Washfluid, extracting the wash fluid and then agitating the fabrics in arinse fluid; wherein the Wash extraction temperature is from about 105F. to about 110 F. and the initial rinse temperature is between the washextraction temperature and a temperature which is lower than the Washextrac- 10 tion temperature by an amount no greater than from about 20F. to about 25 F.

10. The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein the rinse agitation isconducted for a period of at least about seven minutes.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,013,421 12/1961 Buss 68-123,055,202 9/1962 Hughes 6812 3,214,665 10/1965 Billings et a1. 68-12 X3,301,023 1/1967 Painter 6812 3,312,234 4/1967 Morey 68-12 X WILLIAM I.PRICE, Primary Examiner.

1. A METHOD OF WASHING FABRICS HAVING A THERMOPLASTIC CHARACTERISTIC INAN AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE INCLUDING THE STEPS OF AGITATING THEFABRICS IN A WASH FLUID, EXTRACTING THE WASH FLUID AND THEN AGITATINGTHE FABRICS IN A RINSE FLUID; WHEREIN THE WASH EXTRACTION TEMPERATURE ISBETWEEN ABOUT 90* F. AND ABOUT 120* F. AND THE INITIAL RINSE TEMPERATUREIS BETWEEN THE WASH EXTRACTION TEMPERATURE AND A TEMPERATURE LOWER THANSAID WASH EXTRACTION TEMPERATURE BY AN AMOUNT NO MORE THAN ABOUT 20* F.TO ABOUT 25* F., DEPENDENT UPON THE WASH EXTRACTION TEMPERATURE.